Climate change: Greta Thunberg accuses UK government of being 'climate villains' - Sky News

Environmental activists Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate have accused the British government of being "climate villains".

Speaking from the Youth4Climate summit in Milan, Ms Thunberg said the continued approval of new licences and drilling permissions for oil and gas in the North Sea ran counter to the UK's leadership position as host of the Glasgow-based UN climate summit, COP 26.

The 18-year-old Swede told Sky News: "That's a textbook example of hypocrisy, alongside many other countries as well.

"Of course, the climate crisis .. more or less it started in the UK since that's where the industrial revolution started, we started to burn coal there, so of course the UK has an enormous historical responsibility when it comes to historic emissions since the climate crisis is a cumulative crisis."

Image: Greta Thunberg at the Youth4Climate conference in Milan

Ms Thunberg said that the UK, like many other countries, engages in what she called "creative carbon accounting", where emissions from exported fossil fuels or international shipping and aviation are not currently counted.

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She said: "I find it very strange that they're like, they are the ones who we're supposed to look up to now, but they are objectively one of the biggest climate villains, which I find very strange."

Ugandan activist Ms Nakate mentioned the controversial Cambo oil field off the coast of Shetland which is due to be given final approval for drilling.

More on Cop26

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She said: "True climate leadership doesn't mean opening new coal power plants, or funding new oil fields.

"I think that is not true climate leadership. I think true climate leadership is prioritising the people and the planet over profits."

Image: Thunberg says the British government is guilty of 'textbook hypocrisy'

Both activists expressed real concern that greenhouse gas emissions are not being reduced fast enough despite the UN secretary general calling climate change a "code red" for humanity.

Ms Thunberg said: "Just recently, a report by the UN showed that the global emissions are expected to rise by 16% by 2030. I mean that says it all. We think that we are moving in the right direction, but the emissions are actually still increasing."

Sky News asked if the pair had given up on world leaders and their ability to deliver at COP26.

Ms Nakate said: "Well, I haven't given up on them because if I give up it means communities like mine will continue to face the worst of the climate crisis, so, if it means that if we want action, if we want justice, then this is not the moment to give up."

Ms Thunberg said: "Yeah, I agree with Vanessa. This is not the time to give up.

"Of course, we are speeding in the very wrong direction, but there are still of course many, many people who want to work, who are trying, and who want to do good.

"We want to do more and drive change, but in order to do that, something drastic needs to happen."

Sky News has approached COP26 president Alok Sharma's office for comment.

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2021-09-28 17:48:45Z
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Afghanistan: Al-Qaeda could threaten US in a year - general - BBC News

Top US General Mark Milley has warned al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan could threaten the US in as little as 12 months.

The Taliban had not broken ties with the group responsible for 9/11 and themselves remained a terror organisation, Gen Milley said.

He and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are being questioned in Congress about last month's pullout from Afghanistan.

The government collapsed as the Taliban rapidly advanced through the country.

Senator and committee leader Jack Reed said lawmakers wanted to understand whether the US "missed indicators" of the government's collapse.

The US has said it will now move towards counter-terrorism missions.

The hearing, held by the Senate armed services committee, comes weeks after a chaotic withdrawal at Kabul airport as foreign powers sought to get their citizens home and thousands of desperate Afghans begged for rescue.

A suicide attack killed 182 people during the withdrawal operation. Thirteen US service personnel and at least 169 Afghans were killed by the airport gate on 26 August.

'Caught off-guard'

Tuesday's hearing began with opening testimony from Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, followed by Gen Milley.

Gen Milley said it would now be harder to protect Americans from terrorist attacks from Afghanistan.

"The Taliban was and remains a terrorist organisation and still has not broken ties with al-Qaeda," he said.

"A reconstituted al-Qaeda or ISIS [Islamic State group] with aspirations to attack the US is a very real possibility, and those conditions to include activity in ungoverned spaces could present themselves in the next 12-36 months."

Gen Milley said he made an assessment in late 2020 that an accelerated troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could precipitate the government's collapse.

But both he and Mr Austin both testified that the speed of the collapse caught the US military off-guard.

"We helped build a state, but we could not forge a nation," Mr Austin said.

"The fact that the Afghan army we and our partners trained simply melted away - in many cases without firing a shot - took us all by surprise.

Another general, Kenneth McKenzie, who as head of US Central Command oversaw the withdrawal from Afghanistan, said under questioning he recommended keeping a small force of 2,500 troops in Afghanistan.

This appears to contradict President Joe Biden's assertion to an ABC journalist that he did not recall anyone giving him such advice.

• ANALYSIS: How much has the Afghanistan war cost?
• REPORT FROM KABUL: A new order begins under Taliban rule
• ANALYSIS: How can the West stop Afghan terror bases?

US troops first entered Afghanistan in late 2001, shortly after the 9/11 attacks. By the time they left, the US had spent about $985bn (£724bn) and deployed tens of thousands of troops, peaking at 110,000 in 2011.

In the weeks between the fall of Kabul and the withdrawal deadline of 31 August, the US evacuated its remaining 4,000 troops. It is also taking about 50,000 Afghan refugees who were airlifted out of Kabul.

As many as 20 people died in the crowds which gathered at the airport in the days after the Taliban takeover.

Who is Gen Mark Milley?

• He's Joe Biden's top military adviser - the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (the committee of the eight highest-ranking military officials)
• He's not part of the chain of command with the military and does not order US forces
• However, he is the link between the White House and the Pentagon
• He was a four-star officer and the Army Chief of Staff before being appointed to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff in October 2019

Gen Milley is facing tough questioning, especially from Republicans, who have called for him to be sacked.

He and Gen McKenzie will probably be asked about a US drone strike in Kabul on 29 August which killed 10 innocent members of a single family.

EPA

After the attack, Gen McKenzie said US intelligence had tracked a car belonging to one member of the family, an aid worker, believing it was linked to a branch of the Islamic State (IS) group.

Gen Milley originally described the attack as a "righteous strike". After the Pentagon established that the dead were all civilians, he backtracked, admitting that he had spoken too soon.

'We are not going to attack China'

It emerged recently that he held phone conversations with the Chinese military following concerns about then-President Donald Trump.

The phone calls were revealed in a book by journalist Bob Woodward, who also said Gen Milley had told his staff that if Mr Trump ordered a nuclear strike, then he would have to confirm it before it was carried out.

Top Republican Senator Marco Rubio has described this as "treasonous".

But Gen Milley told the hearing the calls were coordinated with then-Defence Secretary Mark Esper and his acting successor Christopher Miller.

"I know, I am certain that President Trump did not intend to attack the Chinese... and it was my directive responsibility by the secretary to convey that intent to the Chinese.

"My task at that time was to de-escalate. My message again was consistent: 'Stay calm, steady and de-escalate. We are not going to attack you.'"

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2021-09-28 17:04:25Z
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Greta Thunberg mocks world leaders' words at Youth4Climate - BBC News

The Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, used her speech at the Youth4Climate conference in Milan to mock the words of world leaders, including UK PM Boris Johnson.

The 18-year-old used soundbites from Mr Johnson, such as "expensive bunny hugging" and "build back better", to highlight what she called the "empty words and promises" of politicians.

Later in the speech, she urged people not to give up hope, saying that change is "not only possible, but urgently necessary".

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2021-09-28 16:23:07Z
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Germany election: Merkel heir loses support as parties meet - BBC News

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German conservative leader Armin Laschet is facing mounting unrest within his party, after their historic defeat in federal elections.

As he and the other party leaders met colleagues to decide their next steps, support for his bid to form a coalition drained away.

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder offered little hope when he said the centre left had the best chance.

Election winner Olaf Scholz will need the support of two other parties.

The Social Democrat leader called for urgent talks with the Greens and liberals, but their leaders planned to meet each other first.

Mr Scholz has been buoyed by opinion polls that suggest widespread backing for a three-way government.

Half of Germans want his party to run the country with the Greens and pro-business FDP in what they call a "traffic light" coalition, because of the party colours.

The Bavarian premier said "there's a small possibility that the traffic light won't work": the conservatives were ready for coalition talks, but wouldn't ingratiate themselves.

Only 22% of Germans think it should be Mr Laschet's conservative CDU at the helm of a "Jamaica" coalition.

Armin Laschet was picked by the conservatives to take over as chancellor after 16 years of Angela Merkel in power.

Even before the vote there was frustration in the CDU at gaffes in his campaign. While his poll ratings slipped, Markus Söder remained popular as head of Bavarian sister party, the CSU.

Now that the conservatives have polled only 24.1% of the vote, internal discontent has spilled out:

• Marcus Mündlein, CDU youth leader in the east, called for a "real, fresh start" and for Mr Laschet to resign
• "We lost the election, full stop," says CDU youth wing leader Tilman Kuban
• Economics Minister Peter Altmaier says the party has no "God-given" right to form a coalition
• Bernd Althusmann, head of the CDU leader in Lower Saxony in the north-west says voters want change and "we should humbly and respectfully accept" their will
• Volker Bouffier, state premier in Hesse in central Germany, says the party has "no claim" to run the country now
• Local party member Ellen Demuth said: "You lost - be reasonable; prevent more damage to the CDU and step down."

The talk in Berlin on Tuesday was that conservative colleagues might even approach Mr Söder to front a coalition with the Greens and liberals. The Bavarian leader said: "It's Mr Scholz who has the best chance of becoming chancellor."

The losing candidate is not without support, but it is dwindling.

Leading CDU figure Julia Klöckner is among the few who have publicly backed a CDU-led government: the party needs to renew itself but could still do it in government, she says.

The party's top official in Hamburg, Christoph Ploss, said the CDU should take soundings with its potential coalition partners: "We have to move forward step by step."

Two separate polls indicate widespread support for a government led by Olaf Scholz.

A Forsa poll said 56% wanted him to be chancellor, while a mere 11% preferred Mr Laschet and 67% thought he should resign.

As many as 71% are opposed to the conservative leader becoming chancellor, according to a Civey institute poll.

SIMPLE GUIDE: What you need to know about Germany's election

Meanwhile, the centre left is keen to force the pace with potential coalition partners.

"We have invited the Greens and the FDP to hold exploratory talks with us this week, if they want," said parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.

They do not appear to be in a rush and as well as finding common ground, they need to sort out internal decisions.

Greens leader Annalena Baerbock herself did not have a great election, squandering a lead in the opinion polls, even if her party did reach a historic high of almost 15%.

Her co-leader, Robert Habeck, stepped back during the campaign but has his eye on Germany's top finance job, currently held by Olaf Scholz. But it's a job also coveted by the head of the pro-business FDP, Christian Lindner.

It's not just policies but jobs the two parties need to agree on if they're to take part in government.

Even though the liberals are also more naturally aligned on economics with the centre-right, they have plenty in common on the social side with the Greens.

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2021-09-28 14:28:05Z
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Germany election: Merkel heir under fire as German parties meet - BBC News

Getty Images

German conservative leader Armin Laschet is facing mounting unrest within his party, after their historic defeat in federal elections.

As he and the other party leaders met colleagues to decide their next steps, support for his bid to form a coalition drained away.

Bavarian Premier Markus Söder offered little hope when he said the centre left had the best chance.

Election winner Olaf Scholz will need the support of two other parties.

The Social Democrat leader called for urgent talks with the Greens and liberals, but their leaders planned to meet each other first.

Mr Scholz has been buoyed by opinion polls that suggest widespread backing for a three-way government.

Half of Germans want his party to run the country with the Greens and pro-business FDP in what they call a "traffic light" coalition, because of the party colours.

The Bavarian premier said "there's a small possibility that the traffic light won't work": the conservatives were ready for coalition talks, but wouldn't ingratiate themselves.

Only 22% of Germans think it should be Mr Laschet's conservative CDU at the helm of a "Jamaica" coalition.

Armin Laschet was picked by the conservatives to take over as chancellor after 16 years of Angela Merkel in power.

Even before the vote there was frustration in the CDU at gaffes in his campaign. While his poll ratings slipped, Markus Söder remained popular as head of Bavarian sister party, the CSU.

Now that the conservatives have polled only 24.1% of the vote, internal discontent has spilled out:

• Marcus Mündlein, CDU youth leader in the east, called for a "real, fresh start" and for Mr Laschet to resign
• "We lost the election, full stop," says CDU youth wing leader Tilman Kuban
• Economics Minister Peter Altmaier says the party has no "God-given" right to form a coalition
• Bernd Althusmann, head of the CDU leader in Lower Saxony in the north-west says voters want change and "we should humbly and respectfully accept" their will
• Volker Bouffier, state premier in Hesse in central Germany, says the party has "no claim" to run the country now
• Local party member Ellen Demuth said: "You lost - be reasonable; prevent more damage to the CDU and step down."

The talk in Berlin on Tuesday was that conservative colleagues might even approach Mr Söder to front a coalition with the Greens and liberals. The Bavarian leader said: "It's Mr Scholz who has the best chance of becoming chancellor."

The losing candidate is not without support, but it is dwindling.

Leading CDU figure Julia Klöckner is among the few who have publicly backed a CDU-led government: the party needs to renew itself but could still do it in government, she says.

The party's top official in Hamburg, Christoph Ploss, said the CDU should take soundings with its potential coalition partners: "We have to move forward step by step."

Two separate polls indicate widespread support for a government led by Olaf Scholz.

A Forsa poll said 56% wanted him to be chancellor, while a mere 11% preferred Mr Laschet and 67% thought he should resign.

As many as 71% are opposed to the conservative leader becoming chancellor, according to a Civey institute poll.

SIMPLE GUIDE: What you need to know about Germany's election

Meanwhile, the centre left is keen to force the pace with potential coalition partners.

"We have invited the Greens and the FDP to hold exploratory talks with us this week, if they want," said parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.

They do not appear to be in a rush and as well as finding common ground, they need to sort out internal decisions.

Greens leader Annalena Baerbock herself did not have a great election, squandering a lead in the opinion polls, even if her party did reach a historic high of almost 15%.

Her co-leader, Robert Habeck, stepped back during the campaign but has his eye on Germany's top finance job, currently held by Olaf Scholz. But it's a job also coveted by the head of the pro-business FDP, Christian Lindner.

It's not just policies but jobs the two parties need to agree on if they're to take part in government.

Even though the liberals are also more naturally aligned on economics with the centre-right, they have plenty in common on the social side with the Greens.

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2021-09-28 13:07:08Z
52781886475259

Germany election: Merkel heir under fire as German parties meet - BBC News

Getty Images

German conservative leader Armin Laschet is facing mounting unrest within his party, after their historic defeat in federal elections.

As he and the other party leaders met colleagues to decide their next steps, he came under increased pressure to end his bid to form a coalition and quit.

Election winner Olaf Scholz wants urgent talks with the two parties whose support he needs to form a government.

But the Greens and liberals plan to meet each other first.

Mr Scholz has been buoyed by opinion polls that suggest widespread backing for a three-way government.

Half of Germans want his party to run the country with the Greens and pro-business FDP in what they call a "traffic-light" coalition, because of the party colours; only 22% think it should be Mr Laschet's conservative CDU at the helm of a "Jamaica" coalition.

Armin Laschet was picked by the conservatives to take over as chancellor after 16 years of Angela Merkel in power. Even before the vote there was frustration in the CDU at gaffes in his campaign. While his poll ratings slipped, the head of the Bavarian sister party, Markus Söder, remained popular.

Now that the conservatives have polled only 24.1% of the vote, internal discontent has spilled out:

• Marcus Mündlein, CDU youth leader in the east, called for a "real, fresh start" and for Mr Laschet to resign
• "We lost the election, full stop," says CDU youth wing leader Tilman Kuban
• Economics Minister Peter Altmaier says the party has no "God-given" right to form a coalition
• Bernd Althusmann, head of the CDU leader in Lower Saxony in the north-west says voters want change and "we should humbly and respectfully accept" their will
• Volker Bouffier, state premier in Hesse in central Germany, says the party has "no claim" to run the country now
• Local party member Ellen Demuth said: "You lost - be reasonable; prevent more damage to the CDU and step down."

The talk in Berlin on Tuesday was that conservative colleagues might even approach Mr Söder to front a coalition with the Greens and liberals.

The losing candidate is not without support, but it is dwindling.

Leading CDU figure Julia Klöckner is among the few who have publicly backed a CDU-led government: the party needs to renew itself but could still do it in government, she says.

The party's top official in Hamburg, Christoph Ploss, said the CDU should take soundings with its potential coalition partners: "We have to move forward step by step."

Two separate polls indicate widespread support for a government led by Olaf Scholz.

A Forsa poll said 56% wanted him to be chancellor, while a mere 11% preferred Mr Laschet and 67% thought he should resign.

As many as 71% are opposed to the conservative leader becoming chancellor, according to a Civey institute poll.

SIMPLE GUIDE: What you need to know about Germany's election

Meanwhile, the centre left is keen to force the pace with potential coalition partners.

"We have invited the Greens and the FDP to hold exploratory talks with us this week, if they want," said parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich.

They do not appear to be in a rush and as well as finding common ground, they need to sort out internal decisions.

Greens leader Annalena Baerbock herself did not have a great election, squandering a lead in the opinion polls, even if her party did reach a historic high of almost 15%.

Her co-leader, Robert Habeck, stepped back during the campaign but has his eye on Germany's top finance job, currently held by Olaf Scholz. But it's a job also coveted by the head of the pro-business FDP, Christian Lindner.

It's not just policies but jobs the two parties need to agree on if they're to take part in government.

Even though the liberals are also more naturally aligned on economics with the centre-right, they have plenty in common on the social side with the Greens.

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2021-09-28 12:15:30Z
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La Palma volcano eruption: Lava that could create clouds of toxic gas now within 800m of ocean - Sky News

Lava flowing from an erupting volcano in the Canary Islands - that could create clouds of toxic hydrochloric acid vapour - is now within 800m of the ocean. 

While one of two lava rivers has slowed on La Palma, the other has picked up pace on its way to the shoreline, officials said on Tuesday.

The flow is "hotter and more fluid" and bearing down on the small town of Todoque, forcing people to be evacuated from their homes.

When it hits the sea it could create a thermal shock that will release toxic vapour into the atmosphere - particularly hydrochloric acid that is dangerous to breathe and irritates the eyes and skin.

Watch live: La Palma volcano eruption

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Image: Streams of lava have advanced down the volcano and through the island

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Firefighters keep a close eye on spreading lava from the Cumbre Vieja volcano on the Spanish island.

Officials had been expecting the lava to reach the Atlantic Ocean for days, but the eruption has been erratic and after calming down on Monday, the volcano became more explosive overnight.

Residents living on the shoreline have been warned to stay indoors.

More on La Palma Volcano Eruption

Related Topics:

Sky News correspondent Becky Cotterill, reporting live from the Spanish Canary Island, said: "There is this giant fountain of lava coming out of the volcano a little further down. It looks like it is several hundred feet high.

"One of the things we have noticed in the last hour as the sun has risen is just how much thick black smoke there is coming out of the top of the volcano and collecting overhead.

Image: More towns were evacuated as the volcano eruption continues

"The big concern now is and when this lava is going to hit the sea. It is a very steep slope from the top of the volcano down to the coast."

The explosion, which began nine days ago on 19 September, has already destroyed more than 500 homes, entombing many in molten rock.

Thousands have been forced to leave their homes

No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported since the eruption began, due to prompt evacuations by emergency services.

The volcano has so far spewed out more than 46 million cubic metres (1.6 billion cubic feet) of molten rock, according to the Canary Island Volcanology Institute.

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2021-09-28 11:49:11Z
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